Book Reviews, Science Fiction, Short Stories

On a Red Station, Drifting ~Aliette de Bodard

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For generations Prosper Station has thrived under the guidance of its Honoured Ancestress: born of a human womb, the station’s artificial intelligence has offered guidance and protection to its human relatives.

But war has come to the Dai Viet Empire. Prosper’s brightest minds have been called away to defend the Emperor; and a flood of disorientated refugees strain the station’s resources. As deprivations cause the station’s ordinary life to unravel, uncovering old grudges and tearing apart the decimated family, Station Mistress Quyen and the Honoured Ancestress struggle to keep their relatives united and safe. What Quyen does not know is that the Honoured Ancestress herself is faltering, her mind eaten away by a disease that seems to have no cure; and that the future of the station itself might hang in the balance…

I don’t often post a book’s copy as the means of beginning a review but in the case of “On a Red Station, Drifting” I believe the quote sets the stage far more succinctly than I ever could, for Aliette de Bodard’s novella is one that invites incoherent fannish babbling while at the same time inspiring one to write a review worthy of her story. I will make a valiant attempt, and I will fail, but in the effort I hope to convey some of what I took away from this unique work of fiction.

Linh is a magistrate of a world falling to the rebel forces who arrives at Prosper Station as a refugee, carrying with her the emotional weight of having abandoned her people at the behest of her most trusted advisor. Quyen is the administrator of Prosper Station, having assumed the mantle after her husband was taken in the war effort. Though she is in direct communication with the station’s A.I. she does not have the education or stature, and thus does not have the mem-implants, that her cousin Linh possesses. While Quyen can get help from the Honoured Ancestress, Linh carries with her the copies of several of her ancestors who can and do guide and direct her in matters large and small. These two women come together at a crucial time in the life of Prosper Station and their actions and interactions will have far-reaching consequences for them as individuals but also as part of a greater family unit.

Many of the characters we meet on Prosper Station are family and can trace back their lineage through a vast number of generations. Being family brings with it certain duties and obligations that are meant to be honored even if individual family members do not get along. “On a Red Station, Drifting” has a great many interesting science fictional concepts woven into the story but its strength is the family drama that plays out within the narrative. From the very beginning the reader is aware that Linh and Quyen are not equals in regards to what they have achieved. Each women is carrying burdens that they cannot, or should not, handle alone and yet their own self-image issues and mistrust of one another put them on the defensive and their struggles are the source of the tension that fuels the narrative. Aliette de Bodard pens a complex family drama in which the behaviors and emotions are quite authentic. Unlike many adventure stories, the reader is unsure who to side with in “On a Red Station, Drifting” or even if choosing a side is necessary. There is no obvious villain of the piece, or if there is one it is the war that is happening off stage.

“On a Red Station, Drifting” is a novella structured in three parts, each part corresponding to a different visitor to Prosper Station and how that visitor’s presence, or impending presence, affects the other characters. On her website de Bodard mentions that one of many things that she set out to do was to counteract the prevalence in SFF of largely male characters and male concerns by focusing on women. In so doing she builds female characters who are strong not because of or in spite of men while expertly avoiding anything that would resemble ‘male bashing’. The men and women on Prosper Station are all marginalized in some way in that the seemingly more important people are off serving the war effort and yet de Bodard showcases the talent, skill and courage of these ordinary people.

I cannot pretend to an extensive knowledge of any of the Asian cultures. My knowledge of China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam is limited to what remains from school days and exposure to the cultures through films and documentaries. Stories like Aliette de Bodard’s “Immersion” and “On a Red Station, Drifting” make me want to know more. It is fascinating to pick up a novella like “On a Red Station, Drifting” to find myself in a very familiar world because of its science fictional elements yet within a wholly foreign setting in regards to the culture and history of the people who populate this imagined future. The Western definition of ‘family’ exists in stark contrast to what we see here and although de Bodard does not pull any narrative punches in showing how messy family life can be there is a beauty present in a historical tradition that treats the bonds of family as something sacred.

As predicted I am failing to adequately capture in words the beautiful complexity and emotional intricacy of Aliette de Bodard’s story not to mention the great visual imagery that her writing conjures up. It intrigues me to know that despite all that I got out of reading this novella that there are layers upon layers of meaning that I cannot fathom because of my limited knowledge of the history and culture that are the underpinnings of this story. The fact that she manages all this and more in a little over one hundred pages makes the end result nothing short of stunning.

I became aware of Aliette de Bodard’s work because of the Nebula nominations announced earlier this year. I read “Immersion” and was so infatuated with the story that I immediately ordered the limited edition copy of “On a Red Station, Drifting”. Infatuation has turned to passion and an excitement that rivals the first time I read the work of Haruki Murakami. Aliette de Bodard has created a universe whose sights and sounds and scents (her mentions of food make my mouth water) allow you to enter in through your imagination and leave you reluctant to go. I sincerely hope that the Nebula nomination (and perhaps a Hugo nomination as well *fingers crossed*) will result in an ebook version to go along with the limited edition. In the meantime, this small press publication is a very nicely bound book that can be purchased through Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

Aliette de Bodard has exposed me to one unique flavor of international science fiction and I look forward to discovering more while also tracking down the rest of her work to enjoy. 10/10 stars
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Aliette de Bodard was born in the United States but was raised in and lives in France. She is half-French, half-Vietnamese. She has won the BSFA and has been nominated for the Campbell, Hugo and Nebula Awards. She is once again nominated for a Nebula with “Immersion” in the Short Story category and “On a Red Station, Drifting” in the Novella category. Each of these nominated stories is part of her Xuya universe, a complex alternate history which is described more fully here.

In addition to the Xuya universe Aliette de Bodard has written a trilogy of fantasy/mystery novels featuring the Aztec people.

Her author’s notes for “On a Red Station, Drifting” provide valuable insight into the inspirations of this story and the choices that she made in the narrative. It acts as a much better review of the novella.

26 thoughts on “On a Red Station, Drifting ~Aliette de Bodard”

    1. I’m the one who should be, and am trying to, say “Wow”. Thank you for the great fiction you have been unleashing on the world. I wish you all the best during this upcoming awards season.

  2. I’ve read a few of de Bodard’s short stores and they were wonderful. If you’ve got a copy of the Epic Legends of Fantasy, her story “As the Wheel Turns” is just gorgeous.

    Carl, I can completely understand your fannish incoherent babbling, I just did the same thing with Iain M Banks’ Use of Weapons. Incoherent Squeeing? that’s how we know the depth of your emotional response. 🙂

    also, just curious – is this available print, or did you get it electronic?

    1. It is currently only available as a print copy but I’m hoping all the awards buzz will mean that an electronic copy will be coming out soon.

      I almost picked up a Banks book when I was out bookstore shopping on Friday night but I have so many half-finished books to read I decided to wait. I’m still not sure where I want to start with Banks but all the books sound so weirdly fascinating that I know I have to give him a try.

  3. See, this is why I love book bloggers. Based on the cover and even the interesting description, I would never have wanted to pick this novella up. But your review made my mouth water.

    I haven’t read any Aliette de Bodard yet but I believe I have a book of hers on my TBR (Obsidian and Blood). Can’t wait to get started reading her books – and she’d even work for the WWE Women of Genre Fiction challenge. 🙂

    1. It is funny that you mention the cover because I had a similar experience. I had heard mentions of this author but when I went to her website my initial thoughts were negative largely because (and here are those prejudices rising) it looked like it might be self-published work. Then it got to the point where I couldn’t listen to a podcast or go online without seeing someone praising her work. All it took is reading “Immersion” to see why, and at that point I *had* to get my hands on this book.

      I cannot say I love the cover, but the book itself is very nicely put together and the cover image is printed directly onto the hardback which is an old school move that I really like. It has grown on me because of the story.

      1. Mark me down as another with reservations about the cover. If only there were some sort of idiom or saw warning us about making snap-judgments on these things…

        That being said, She’s got a very intriguing web presence and I’m increasingly tempted to pick up something of hers, especially after reading this post. Might have to start with those shorts and work my way up. You say this isn’t available electronically? That’s something of a (disappointing) surprise.

  4. Carl, based on your review of this, and of “Immersion”, I have ordered the novella. Now I’m hoping for an in-print collection of her short stories. I’m looking forward to reading it. I agree with Nadine’s opening statement, the cover isn’t an eye-catcher for me, though the blurb would have gotten my attention. But really, it’s all about the writing, isn’t it? Once again, thank you for a fine review.

    1. I’m excited to hear it. And of course now I’m also nervous…though I am not sure why I should be, I didn’t write the novella! 🙂 It is one I am anxious for others to like simply because I enjoyed it so completely. I see that Paul Weimer put up an equally glowing review of the book on SF Signal today.

  5. I ordered On a Red Station, Drifting by Aliette de Bodard after reading your fine review. Any book that can generate that much excitement in you has to be read!

  8. I’m a big Aliette fan, both as a writer and a person. I haven’t read her newest stuff, but finished the whole Obsidian and Blood trilogy, as well as a killer novella from last year called Scattered Along the River of Heaven. I need to dig into more of this short fiction thing you Earthlings talk about.

    1. Definitely start out with reading “Immersion”:

      http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/debodard_06_12/

      I’m going to feature it for this Sunday’s short story discussion. It is my pick for this year’s Nebula and think it has a really strong chance of winning. Out of all the stories I’ve now read set in this universe I think it is the best one for painting a picture of the universe as well as giving an idea of the way in which she tells stories.

  9. Why do you keep adding things to my “to read” list? I don’t need anymore.

    I think I will look into the fantasy/mystery novels featuring the Aztec people. Mysteries are my first love.

    1. I’m a bad man! I’m interested in checking out the Aztec novels myself. They sound very interesting.

        1. Nothing wrong with self-promotion! I’ll bookmark the post until I can get to the book.

  10. Wow Carl, you’re on a real streak of good books at the moment. I will add this to my list.
    Thanks
    Lynn 😀

    1. That is great Lynn. As I’ve said to many above, I really recommend checking out “Immersion” and not just as a shameless plug for this Sunday’s short story discussion (although that is a bonus!). It would give you a good feel for her work and whether or not you would enjoy it. Here’s the link:

      http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/debodard_06_12/

  11. I really liked her Obsidian and Blood series which I read there last year. Its so great to get something a bit different 🙂
    Got around to reading On a red Station, Drifting last week and really enjoyed it. I think is is one that would be rewarded by a reread as well so I must do that at some point.

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